Genoa High School has Breathalyzer

Device available at school dances, sporting events

Oct. 17, 2013

Written by

Sheri Trusty

News Herald correspondent

GENOA — Genoa High School recently obtained a Breathalyzer machine in the hopes of creating a safer school environment.

The machine can be used to test students and containers for the presence of alcohol.

Clay Township police Chief Terry Mitchell said there were a couple of alcohol-related incidents on school grounds last school year, as well as unfounded accusations.

In the past, when there was suspicion or accusations of alcohol possession or consumption, school staff contacted local police for assistance.

The machine will allow staff to test students and containers themselves. The police will only be notified if the machines test positive for alcohol.

The machine will be available at all dances and school functions, and will be kept at the school for use when needed.

Genoa High School Principal Cari Buehler said school policy dictates local authorities be notified whenever a student is caught with illegal substances.

Mitchell and Buehler said the idea behind the Breathalyzer machine is to prevent alcohol incidents, not to create a warpath atmosphere of searching for violators.

“Our intent is not to nail a bunch of kids, but to use this as a preventative measure,” Mitchell said.

“I try to be proactive instead of reactive,” Buehler said. “Kids will be kids, and some kids will make poor decisions.

“If they know we’re one step ahead of them, they might make better decisions. They’ll know we have the equipment to search for such things.”

Results from the machine cannot be entered as evidence in court, but will give school staff the information they need to know when deciding whether or not to contact police.

Buehler said the machine will protect students from the presence of alcohol on school grounds and also will protect students from the embarrassment of false rumors. A student falsely accused will not be subject to contact with local police.

“If a student comes to an athletic event or to school with a cup and there are rumors they poured alcohol into it, I have a quick and easy way to check,” Buehler said.

A rumor proven false also will save time for the police department.

“It saves embarrassment for the student, and we don’t have to be called in off the road,” Mitchell said.

The Clay Township Police Department is allowing Genoa High School to use the machine on a permanent loan basis at no charge, and mouth pieces are being provided for free. The police department will officially present the machine to the school board at its Tuesday meeting, but it is already in use at the school.

Overall, the machine is supposed to be a benefit to students, staff and the police department.

“I’m not trying to bust kids, but I’m making sure I’m following policies and keeping kids safe to the best of my ability,” Buehler said. “Sometimes when kids know what’s at our fingertips, they take that extra second to make a decision.”